image credits: governor of odisha
Every year on March 5, Odisha commemorate the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, fondly known as Bhumi Putra. Born on March 5, 1916, he left an indelible mark on Odisha and India through his multifaceted contributions as a freedom fighter, aviator, industrialist, and politician. A man of courage and vision, Biju Patnaik’s legacy is deeply intertwined within Odisha’s growth. From his daring feats as a pilot to his transformative leadership as Chief Minister, his life inspires generations.
Early Life of The Tall Man Biju Patnaik
Biju Patnaik was born in Cuttack, Odisha, to Lakshminarayan Patnaik and Ashalata Devi. His father was a close aide to freedom fighter Madhusudan Das who instilled in him a spirit of patriotism from a young age. Growing up in a household that championed India’s independence, Biju’s formative years were shaped by the socio-political consciousness sweeping Odisha in the early 20th century. His first brush with inspiration came in 1927 when he witnessed Mahatma Gandhi during the Khadi Tour at the age of 11.
Educated at Ravenshaw College, Biju excelled not only academically but also as a sportsman, leading the university’s football, hockey, athletics, and cricket teams for three consecutive years. However, his passion for aviation soon took precedence. He discontinued his studies to train as a pilot at the Aeronautical Training Institute of India and the Delhi Flying Club. By the late 1930s, he had joined the Royal Indian Air Force.
Role of Biju Patnaik in Shaping Odisha
Biju Patnaik’s contributions to Odisha are monumental, earning him the title “Architect of Modern Odisha.” He served as Chief Minister twice—first from June 23, 1961, to October 2, 1963, and later from 1990 to 1995 leading an era of industrialization and infrastructure growth. His vision stated ‘Odisha could not progress without robust industries and connectivity’.
One of his most significant achievements was the establishment of the Paradip Port, dedicated on April 17, 1962. This deep-sea port tapped into Odisha’s 480-km coastline saw new found reserves of iron and manganese ore. Today, it handles over 100 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. Similarly, the Rourkela Steel Plant, another brainchild of Biju, became India’s first integrated steel plant in the public sector, producing over 4.5 million tonnes of steel yearly. His efforts also led to the creation of the Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha in 1962.
Biju Patnaik’s focus on education and empowerment was equally transformative. He established the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology in Bhubaneswar and prioritized women’s education by setting up numerous schools and colleges with an emphasis on science and vocational training. His policies introduced 33% reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions through the Odisha Zilla Parishad Act of 1991.
How the Transition From Biju Patnaik to Bhumi Putra Happened?
During World War II, he flew daring missions for the Royal Indian Air Force, evacuating British families from Burma in 1941 and aiding the Soviet Red Army in Stalingrad. His bravery extended to India’s freedom struggle, where he risked imprisonment from 1942 to 1946 for distributing subversive leaflets and ferrying freedom fighters to secret meetings.
Post-independence, his heroism shone in 1947 when, on Jawaharlal Nehru’s request, he flew a Dakota aircraft to rescue Indonesian leaders Sutan Sjahrir and Mohammad Hatta from Dutch colonial forces on July 22, 1947. This act earned him Indonesia’s highest civilian honor, “Bhoomi Putra,” and the “Bintang Jasa Utama” in 1996. Closer to home, on October 27, 1947, he flew troops to Srinagar, thwarting a Pakistani invasion in Kashmir.
In 1951, he founded the Kalinga Prize, administered by UNESCO, to promote scientific excellence, and in 1952, he established the Kalinga Foundation Trust. His legacy lives on through institutions like the Biju Patnaik International Airport, which handled over 4.6 million passengers in 2023-24, and the Biju Patnaik University of Technology.
From Kalinga Airlines to Air India
Biju Patnaik’s passion for aviation birthed Kalinga Airlines in 1947, a private carrier that operated a fleet of Dakota aircraft. As its chief pilot, he flew missions that shaped the Indonesian rescue operation. The airline played a vital role in India’s early air connectivity, transporting troops during the 1947 Kashmir conflict and supporting civilian evacuations. By 1953, when India nationalized private airlines, Kalinga Airlines merged with Indian Airlines, which later became part of Air India. This integration means that every Air India flight today carries a trace of Biju Patnaik’s pioneering vision.
The iconic Dakota aircraft (VT-AUI), once part of Kalinga Airlines, was refurbished and made public by Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on March 5, 2023 marking Biju’s 107th birth anniversary, at the Biju Patnaik International Airport. This relic stands as a testament to his aviation legacy .
